The comment was made on Monday when the U.S. President referred to Senator Warren during a White House event held for Native American military veterans. The comment was met with outrage across the country with many stating that it was clearly a racial slur.

However, this view has been rubbished by the White House press secretary. When pelted with questions about Trump’s choice of phrase, Sanders stated that “what most people find offensive is Senator Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career”.

She added that the belief that Trump’s usage of the term was a racial slur was “ridiculous”. Speaking at length on the issue, Sanders made it clear that the White House did not feel it was in the wrong.

She stated, “I don’t believe that it is appropriate for [the president] to make a racial slur, or anybody else” adding, “I don’t think it is [a racial slur] and I certainly don’t think that was the president’s intent.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, the aim of Trump’s comment has been one of Trump’s biggest critics in the senate. Reports state that Trump has taken great satisfaction in referring to her as “Pocahontas” in the past.

The comment is meant to be a jibe at Warren’s claim that she comes from Native American heritage.

Trump made his statement during his speech to the veterans who performed as “code talkers” in World War II. Trump’s comment was greeted with silence from the veterans and outrage from the media.

While Sanders has attempted to smooth things over, Trump’s comment has not gone unnoticed.

Responding to Trump’s malicious bait, Warren retaliated by granting an interview to MSNBC.

She stated that it was “deeply unfortunate that the president of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honoring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur”.

Warren’s sentiments were echoed by Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye who stated that Trump’s remark was “insensitive”.

Patricia Kellogg is a journalist who has held many editorial roles at numerous high-profile publishers – both offline as well as online. She has an experience of more than 10 years in editing and proofreading articles across a range of sectors. She is also well versed with handling academic journal articles, theses, technical manuals, press releases, reports, feature articles, web site content, promotional material, policy papers, and grant proposals.